H is for Hope

H is for Hope (and G is for Grandma).

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Last year at this time I wrote a post on hands and hearts. The hands in the photo were my mom's. I am grateful for each and every picture I took of my mom. Although I miss her, and will for the rest of my life, I wouldn't wish her back. She's free and happy now with Jesus. It's where she wanted to be, and she left us the gift of shadows on the wall when heaven's door cracked open to let out a bit of light on Monday. She talked of going home, and saw relatives who had gone on before her. It was a little confusing at the time, and even a bit disconcerting, but on Thursday morning it all made sense. Today it gives us hope.

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The Unexpected

Sometimes treasures are expected and other times they take one completely by surprise. Priscilla and I took a look up in the attic at Mom's house today. We pulled out a lot of garbage and inhaled a load of dust. (Does anyone else out there have the propensity to collect empty shoe boxes?) I have to admit there were only a few items of real interest to either one of us, but we did find a few things to laugh at and a few things to carry home.

Priscilla pulled this painting out of the darkness and we found it to be a piece of my grandmother's artwork. This makes a total of four paintings, three of which are in the possession of our cousin, John. My grandma's sisters, Harriet (here and here) and Margaret (here and here) were also painters. My dad was an artist in his own right and we spent many winter evenings gathered around the family dinner table both drawing ourselves and watching him draw. Mom drew with us too, she once took an art class with my grandma, so I guess it's not at all surprising that we love to paint and draw too... maybe I ought to keep those craft paints after all...

Looking Forward

I hope my mother comes with toys. She has a great little collection of Playmobil people and furniture that she shares on occasion. They are "play at the table" toys which helps to keep the pieces from getting scattered about the house. they are also one of Alicia's (Priscilla's youngest daughter) favorite things to look at while visiting Grandma.
Em had a great time one day when we visited Grandma's house back in the spring. I see some fun times ahead.

Hey, look, Rachel! Maybe we do have pictures of the china in the cabinet.

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to my very favorite mother in law!

Now don't you roll your eyes at me. That's what Leta did the very first time I called her my favorite daughter in law and she still holds that title. You very well may hold the favored position forever!

I love seeing your exuberance show up in my children; their love of art, music, nature, photography... I smile when I see you appear in that little dance My Darling does when the holidays are near, music is playing on the radio, and he is happy... you know the one, I'm sure you do.

It's been three years now since you were here, a visit is long overdue. See? I am keeping track. There is another wedding in New Mexico this spring... hey, maybe we can all make this one too. We can always hope...

The day is almost done and I am late posting this. I do hope you had a super day full of things you love and that turning 70 was every bit as wonderful as you had hoped. Though we couldn't be there, we send our love and wishes for another year full of fun and adventure. Christmas is just around the corner and I hear you are heading to Dallas, so you are off to a good start!

The Secret Garden

Between Grandpa's garage and the next door fence is a Secret Garden. Once upon a time, when Grandma did daycare, there was a sandbox hiding here, but now there is nothing, and that is why it is a Secret Garden. There are no pretty flowers planted in its sunshine because the sun does not shine bright here, instead it is shaded by arborvitaes, the garage, and a woodshed. The ground is covered with a thick layer of gravel to keep the weeds down. It's one area Grandpa never had to mow.
Nothing much lives in the Secret Garden but a few vines which grow over the fence from the wildly unkempt yard next door. Maybe a squirrel or some chipmunks make their home in the shadows, but I didn't see them. Quite possibly there is, or has been, a family of birds dwelling in a hidden nest, but I didn't search it out. I suppose some little mice just might scurry into the weeds whenever someone ventures near, but they left no tracks to follow. All looks quiet and abandoned in the little Secret Garden between Grandpa's garage and next door fence.

I wonder if David knows the garden is there...

"That's Not How Mommy Does It"

Being a Grandma is a whole lot different than being a mom. The little people God sends along "belong" to us, but not really. It is not Grandma's job to decide when Baby will start eating solids, when he will be potty trained or whether he will attend preschool. Sometimes we do things different than Mommy or Daddy. It's not because we are trying to spite them or prove our way is better, it's just because we are different people. Grandma hasn't neglected Baby because she changed his diaper less than Mommy or let him cry himself to sleep. She knows that diapers are expensive and when her own children were small, she changed diapers only when they really needed to be changed. And crying never hurt Baby, it taught him to settle himself when other tasks were calling, at least in Grandma's days as Mommy.
Grandma doesn't mind if Mommy wants to put Baby on the potty several times throughout the day, she just isn't ready to do that herself. She just found potty training less of a struggle when she waited and prefers to fight other battles right now. Grandma walks a fine line never knowing when her advice or opinion are needed, wanted, or appreciated. She's doing the best she can to do things like Mommy would, but sometimes its hard to know just what that is.

Babies and Such

Being a grandparent can be a busy job. Not only are there small children who need tending, but there are adult children who need assistance. Dave and Leta have had some car trouble, so on Thursday morning I picked up Dave and the baby at their house and dropped Dave off at work before returning home with the baby. (Leta was working.) Yesterday I dropped two girls (Hannah and Sara) off at church for the Junior's Winter Retreat and returned home with Lucas. Lucas was returned to Mom and Dad for the evening, aound six o'clock, and I picked up some Chinese food on the way home. This morning Bethany called. It was her turn to watch Lucas during the retreat, but she and Adam were stranded up in town with a broken down vehicle. I went up town to retrieve Beth and Josh, took them to church where we collected the baby, and then went to Wegmans because Josh was out of diapers. Lucas stayed with Aunt Bethany for the afternoon where he produced four stinky diapers while I was home in my quiet house taking a nap on the couch. Soon Bethany will arrive with the little bundle who James and I will return to his adoring parents when we go to get Hannah from church.

The other day James and I were talking and realized that if our children all had children when we did, we would have fifteen grandchildren by now! And I thought the past few days were busy!

Rock On, Grandma!

My rocker is finally all sanded, stained, glued, and finished! Summer is nearing an end, but I still have some beautiful fall days in which I intend to sit out on my back porch and enjoy the motion. Cool breeze across my face, head back, eyes closed, foot pushing back and forth, back and forth... maybe even a small child nestled in my arms. I may have to wrap myself in a warm blanket and hold a hot cup of coffee, but I'll be out there.